NEW YORK, June 8 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) and Leavitt Partners today announced an exclusive Joint Business Relationship (JBR) to help advise organizations on important food safety matters, including the potential impacts of the proposed Federal food safety legislation. This relationship combines Leavitt Partners' scientific and regulatory food safety expertise with PwC's global reach and broad industry, business and technical consulting experience. PwC and Leavitt Partners will work together as a leading strategic advisor on food safety to help clients protect their brand in this changing environment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are 76 million cases of food-borne illnesses in the US each year, resulting in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths. The cost: roughly $152 billion a year, according to a recent estimate by a former Food and Drug Administration economist.

The proposed Federal food safety legislation may potentially represent the most sweeping changes to food safety regulation in the United States in almost 75 years since the passing of the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act in 1938. Specifically, it could give the Food and Drug Administration better authority and ability to monitor the safety of the food supply, and take quicker and more effective action against companies that don't adequately protect against food contamination.

"We are pleased to team with Leavitt Partners to bring their expertise to our broader practice as we together work important food safety issues in the US and abroad," said Carter Pate, who leads the global government and infrastructure teams at PricewaterhouseCoopers. "The proposed Federal food safety legislation, if enacted, could potentially affect every food grower, processor, manufacturer, wholesaler, importer, customs broker, transporter, distributor, retailer and restaurant in the United States and across the world if the food they are handling is entering US interstate commerce."

PwC's and Leavitt Partners' service offerings include assessments such as food safety hazard analyses and supply chain vulnerability analyses; development, testing and implementation of food plans including preventive controls, corrective actions, and regulatory compliance; implementation advice and support; and assistance with response and recovery related to a crisis situation.

Leavitt Partners provides strategic input and counsel to a broad range of companies and governmental entities and helps clients enter new markets, enhance the value of their products, navigate dynamic regulatory and reimbursement systems and improve health conditions around the world.

"We are pleased to align with PwC to address food safety challenges created in this dynamic regulatory environment," said Leavitt Partners Chairman Michael O. Leavitt, who previously served as the administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, in the Cabinet of President George W. Bush as the Secretary of Health and Human Services and as a three-time elected governor of Utah. "This alliance brings together two acknowledged leaders with complementary skills that together can deploy our strengths in understanding, meeting and addressing ever-changing federal requirements around food safety. Through this relationship we will lead change."

Leavitt Partners advises clients in the practice areas of health care and food safety. Our team includes individuals with deep experience in health care restructuring and domestic and international food safety. We apply this experience, our knowledge and a network of global relationships to supplement the thinking of senior executive teams, facilitate connections, solve problems, create value and deliver results. Visit us online at www.leavittpartners.com.

About PricewaterhouseCoopers

PricewaterhouseCoopers (www.pwc.com) provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for our clients and their stakeholders. More than 163,000 people in 151 countries across our network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.

"PricewaterhouseCoopers" refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or, as the context requires, the PricewaterhouseCoopers global network or other member firms of the network, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.

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